An Absolute Roman Wonder: The Santa Maria Water Fountain in Cosmedin

Archaeologists and restorers alike have stumbled upon a treasure trove of pagan and Christian relics on the grounds of Santa Maria in Cosmedin in Rome.
The nearby basilica is mainly renowned for the marble sculpture known as the Bocca della Verità, (Mouth of Truth) located in its portico.
The location of the Santa Maria in Cosmedin fountain (1719) was not in a well-known area and was, therefore, not frequently visited.
For the most part, people stayed away from the area because it was a sad and neglected part of the city.
It was then that the Italian architect Carlo Bizzaccheri was instructed by Pope Clement XI to build a water fountain in the square outside the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin in an attempt to make the area more popular.
August 11, 1717 saw the beginning of the job to put down the foundation of the church.
Medals bearing the imagery of the Blessed Virgin, for whom the church is named, and of St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of water, were thrown in the foundation following the consecration of the first rock.

Outdoor Garden Fountains And Their Use In Minoa

Archaeological excavations in Minoan Crete in Greece have exposed some sorts of conduits.
In combination with delivering water, they dispersed water that gathered from deluges or waste material.
The chief components employed were rock or terracotta.
There were terracotta pipelines, both circular and rectangle-shaped as well as waterways made from the same components.
Amidst these were terracotta pipes that were U shaped or a shortened, cone-like shape which have only appeared in Minoan society.

The water provision at Knossos Palace was maintained with a system of terracotta pipes which was located beneath the floor, at depths going from a couple of centimeters to several meters.
These Minoan pipes were additionally used for amassing and storing water, not just distribution.
Therefore, these pipelines had to be able to:
Below ground Water Transportation: This system’s invisible nature may mean that it was actually created for some kind of ritual or to allocate water to limited communities.
Quality Water Transportation: Many scholars believe that these water lines were used to make a separate distribution system for the palace.

The Purpose of Water Elements in Japanese Gardens

You will rarely see a Japanese garden that does not include a water element.
They tend to be located right at the entrance of Japanese temples and homes because they are thought to be representative of spiritual and physical cleansing.
The design of Japanese fountains tends to be very simple because they are meant to draw attention to the water itself.

Bamboo is a widely accepted material to use for spouts and therefore often added into water fountains.
The bamboo spout is positioned over the basin, typically made of natural rocks, and water trickles out.
Even when new, it should be crafted to appear as if it has been outdoors for a long time.
It is essential that the overall look of the fountain goes with the natural environment, so people typically place plants, rocks, and flowers around it.
As you can perhaps deduce, this fountain is symbolic rather than purely decorative.

For something a bit more one-of-a-kind, start with a bed of gravel, add a stone fountain, and then embellish it imaginatively with live bamboo and other natural elements.
In time, as moss progressively covers the stones, it becomes even more natural-looking.

Wherever there is enough open space, you have the possibility to build a more extensive water feature.
Popular water feature enhancements are a koi pond or any sort of small pool, or even a wandering brook.

However, water does not have to be an element in a Japanese water fountain.
Many people decide to represent water with sand, gravel, or rocks rather than putting in actual water.
The illusion of a creek with running water can also be achieved by putting flat stones very closely together.

The Minoan Society: Fountains
On the Greek island of Crete, digs have discovered channels of several varieties.
Along with supplying water, they distributed water that gathered from storms or waste.
Rock and clay were the...
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The First Garden Water Features
Towns and villages relied on practical water fountains to funnel water for preparing food, bathing, and cleaning up from nearby sources like lakes, channels, or springs.
...
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Garden Fountains Lost to History
Towns and communities relied on working water fountains to conduct water for preparing food, bathing, and cleaning from nearby sources like lakes, streams, or springs.
A supply of water higher in elevation than the fountain was needed to...
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Making the Ideal Retreat Inside or OutdoorsDo not forget to add plants, as they have an important effect on the charm of a water fountain.
Plants and flowers that blossom in various seasons make the perfect accompaniment.
The area will be further improved with...
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